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Conference turris::cooks

Title:How to Make them Goodies
Notice:Please Don't Start New Notes for Old Topics! Check 5.*
Moderator:FUTURE::DDESMAISONSec.com::winalski
Created:Tue Feb 18 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:4127
Total number of notes:31160

1015.0. "Induction Cooktops" by MUGSY::GLANTZ (Mike) Tue Mar 01 1988 08:43

  I couldn't find any mention of this, so if it's already been
  discussed, please send me mail and I'll delete/move this note.

  Has anyone had experience with "induction" cooktops? These are
  advertised to work by causing the bottom of the pan to generate heat
  within itself, without the cooktop surface becoming hot (except for
  what heat it might absorb from the pan). It sounds just too good to be
  true, and the advertisements never mention the disadvantages, if any.
  Yet no one I know has one, and I know a lot of cooks! Since we're in
  the market for a new range, I'd appreciate any info any of you could
  provide (even if not direct experience, like simply the theory of how
  these units work).

  Thanks in advance,

  - Mike
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1015.1CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, Holly; in Calif.Tue Mar 01 1988 14:463
    Aha.  The disadvantage is $1000 a cooktop.  At least, that's what
    they were going for a couple of years ago when I priced them.
    
1015.2Induction cooking requires Ferrous pansHPSCAD::WHITMANAcid rain burns my BASSTue Mar 01 1988 16:117
I also believe they require FERROUS pots in order to function.
This would mean your VISIONWARE wouldn't work, and Aluminum and
Copper would be suspect...

Your stainless steel and cast iron should work great.

						Al
1015.3watch out for stainless steelJULIE::CORENZWITEverybody remember where we parked.Fri Jul 22 1988 09:039
    Most stainless steel is non-magnetic and doesn't work on an induction
    burner.  Enameled pots generally work, but most are not heavy enough to
    be very even heating.  However, enameled tea kettles work fine.  And,
    of course, cast iron, enameled or not.
    
    You should carry a small magnet with you when shopping for cookware. 
    If it doesn't stick, don't buy it.
    
    Julie
1015.4Are Induction cooktops any good?G::MORRISGreg MorrisThu Feb 22 1990 18:3114
All the articles I've read about induction cooktops echo the replies 
found here namely:

	They cost a lot.

	They only work with certain types of cookware.

And that is all they say.  I haven't found an article yet that talks 
about cooking with them.  

Does anybody out there have any experience with an induction cooktop?

	Greg

1015.5re: .4 -- Yes, but...JULIE::CORENZWITstuck in postcrypt queueFri Nov 16 1990 07:1036
    Yes, I have some experience.  I have a Jenn-Air two burner modular
    unit.  A couple more points:
    
    It's noisy.  There's a lot of electronics in there, and it needs a
    cooling fan.
    
    One of the two burners is now out of order.  There is protective
    circuitry in  them to make it beep loudly at you and refuse to run if
    you turn it on without a pot (of the proper magnetic characteristics). 
    This burner refuses to believe that there is such a pot on it even when
    there is.  However, I am too addicted to the remaining burner to take
    the unit in for repair.  I would be dependent on the other module, the
    one with the coil burners, for a bit, and I don't think I could stand
    it.
    
    When it works, it's wonderful.  The sliding heat level adjuster is
    infinitely adjustable, and changes take effect instantaneously.  The
    lowest heat level is so gentle that it won't even keep just boiled
    water simmering.  It will just sit and quietly steam forever.  Try that
    on your typical electric coil burner!  Even most gas burners tend to
    sputter out and die at that level.
    
    It cleans up pretty well.  The glass surface gets enough heat diffusing
    down from the pot bottom that spilled stuff can get pretty well stuck
    on, and you can't burn it to a carbon powder like with an electric
    coil.  However, a little SoftScrub type cleanser will polish it up
    nicely.
    
    Overall evaluation:  I wouldn't give it up for anything.  However, I am
    thinking of some day doing some major kitchen renovations.  If I ever
    get serious about that, I will certainly give some consideration to
    adding a bottled gas range.  If you are a person who does not blanch in
    horror at the idea of cooking on a standard electric range, forget
    about induction burners.
    
    Julie